I am pretty sure that YA fantasy and science fiction publishing imprints all got together to conspire against me, because I swear nearly everything comes out on September 3rd. (Too bad it isn’t October 3rd, amirite?)
There are a lot of amazing sounding books coming out next month and I am desperately seeking a Slump-Be-Gone serum so I can read them. But here’s my list of books releasing in September that I cannot wait to get my eyeballs on once I feel like reading!
📝 In case you are wondering how I manage to keep track of upcoming releases and choose the books I am most excited to highlight, check out my Edelweiss 2.0 Guide!
Source: Playbill on Tumblr
✨✨ September 3 ✨✨
The Girl the Sea Gave Back
by Adrienne Young
Young Adult, Epic Fantasy
The new gut-wrenching epic from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep.
For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.
For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.
Pre-Order Incentive (US) ARC Review to Come
Have I read Sky In the Deep yet? No. But that doesn’t mean that I am not excited to read this new standalone set in the same world!
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Darkdawn (Nevernight Chronicle #3)
by Jay Kristoff
Adult, Fantasy, Action & Adventure
A ruthless young assassin’s journey for revenge comes to a stunning end in the conclusion of this acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy.
The Republic of Itreya is in chaos. Mia Corvere has assassinated Cardinal Duomo and rumors of Consul Scaeva’s death ripple through the street of Godsgrave like wildfire. But buried beneath those same streets, deep in the ancient city’s bones, lies a secret that will change the Republic forever.
Mia and her brother Jonnen must journey through the depths of the ancient metropolis. Their quest will take them through the Godsgrave underdark, across the Sea of Swords, back to the library of the Quiet Mountain and the poisoned blades of Mia’s old mentors, and at last the fabled Crown of the Moon. There, Mia will at last discover the origins of the darkin, and learn the destiny that lies in store for her and her world. But with the three suns now in descent, and Truedark on the horizon, will she survive?
New York Times and internationally bestselling author Jay Kristoff’s writing has been praised by critics and readers alike and has won many awards, including five Aurealis Awards, an ABIA, and David Gemmell Morningstar and Legend awards.
Pre-Order Incentive (International) ARC Review to Come
Fun fact: I requested Darkdawn on Edelweiss months ago assuming that I would be declined. I was approved and thus the Universe was telling me to get off my ass and pull Nevernight off my damned owned TBR. I haven’t done that yet but I am planning a #WeekOfStab reviews for the trilogy next week, slump permitting.
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There Will Come a Darkness (The Age of Darkness #1)
by Katy Rose Pool
Young Adult, Epic fantasy
The Age of Darkness approaches.Five lives stand in its way.
Who will stop it… or unleash it?
For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations―until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared.
All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world’s salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. As chaos takes hold, five souls are set on a collision course:
A prince exiled from his kingdom.
A ruthless killer known as the Pale Hand.
A once-faithful leader torn between his duty and his heart.
A reckless gambler with the power to find anything or anyone.
And a dying girl on the verge of giving up.
One of them―or all of them―could break the world. Will they be savior or destroyer? Perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Children of Blood and Bone, and An Ember in the Ashes.
Pre-Order Incentive (US & Canada) ARC Review to Come
This one has been on my most anticipated list of the year, and I am so excited that it is almost here! I’ve had an eARC for ages but of course I haven’t read it yet. But I am excited to be attending her author event later in September!
✨✨ September 10 ✨✨
Gideon the Ninth (The Ninth House #1)
by Tamsyn Muir
Adult, Science Fiction, Space Opera
Gideon the Ninth is the most fun you’ll ever have with a skeleton.
The Emperor needs necromancers.
The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.
Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.
Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.
Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
Of course, some things are better left dead.
ARC Review to Come
I’m a simple girl. I was sold by “the most fun you’ll ever have with a skeleton” and black sprayed edges.
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Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4)
by Kerri Maniscalo
Young Adult, Mystery, Historical
In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer—or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.
Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World’s Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.
Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they’ve heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him—and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device—is another.
Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end—together and in love—or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?
Pre-Order Incentive (International)
I am new to the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, but I loved the first two books and can’t wait for this!
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The Testaments (The Handmaid’s Tale #2)
by Margaret Atwood
Adult, Dystopian, Speculative Fiction
In this brilliant sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, acclaimed author Margaret Atwood answers the questions that have tantalized readers for decades.
When the van door slammed on Offred’s future at the end of The Handmaid’s Tale, readers had no way of telling what lay ahead for her—freedom, prison or death.
With The Testaments, the wait is over.
Margaret Atwood’s sequel picks up the story fifteen years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.
“Dear Readers: Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we’ve been living in.” —Margaret Atwood
I’ve been incredibly excited for this one since it was announced, but I am going to be honest: I might not be able to read it anytime soon. It’s just too close to reality these days and I don’t know that I can stomach this. But I have it on pre-order and hope to one day read it and watch beyond season 1 of the Hulu show.
✨✨ September 17 ✨✨
The Babysitter’s Coven (The Babysitter’s Coven #1)
by Kate M. Williams
Young Adult, Fantasy
Debut Author
Adventures in Babysitting meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this funny, action-packed novel about a coven of witchy babysitters who realize their calling to protect the innocent and save the world from an onslaught of evil.
Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl has a babysitters club. She knows it’s kinda lame, but what else is she supposed to do? Get a job? Gross. Besides, Esme likes babysitting, and she’s good at it.
And lately Esme needs all the cash she can get, because it seems like destruction follows her wherever she goes. Let’s just say she owes some people a new tree.
Enter Cassandra Heaven. She’s Instagram-model hot, dresses like she found her clothes in a dumpster, and has a rebellious streak as gnarly as the cafeteria food. So why is Cassandra willing to do anything, even take on a potty-training two-year-old, to join Esme’s babysitters club?
The answer lies in a mysterious note Cassandra’s mother left her: “Find the babysitters. Love, Mom.”
Turns out, Esme and Cassandra have more in common than they think, and they’re about to discover what being a babysitter really means: a heroic lineage of superpowers, magic rituals, and saving the innocent from seriously terrifying evil. And all before the parents get home.
ARC Review to Come
I about lost my shit when this cover was revealed back in January. Buffy meets the Babysitter’s Club? This is the mashup that I never knew I needed.
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A House of Rage and Sorrow (The Celestial Trilogy #2)
by Sangu Mandanna
Young Adult, Science Fiction, Space Opera
One kingdom. One crown. One family.
“Maybe it’s time the great House of Rey came to an end. After all, what are we now? Just a house of rage and sorrow.”
Esmae once wanted nothing more than to help her golden brother win the crown of Kali but that dream died with her best friend. Alexi broke her heart, and she vowed to destroy him for it. And with her sentient warship Titania beside her, how can she possibly fail?
As gods, beasts, and kingdoms choose sides, Alexi seeks out a weapon more devastating than even Titania. Past lives threaten the present. Old enemies claim their due. And Esmae cannot outrun the ghosts and the questions that haunt her. What really happened to her father? What was the third boon her mother asked of Amba? For in the shadows, lurking in wait, are secrets that will swallow her whole.
The House of Rey is at war. And the entire galaxy will bleed before the end.
Read my Spoiler-Free ARC Review
If ou’ve been around for any period of time, chances are you have seen me screech about my love for A Spark of White Fire. In fact, I organized a group readalong for the book this month to get people to read the book ahead of this release! I’ve been slowly re-reading the first book this month, savoring it, before I dive into this sequel, but I feel like it is almost time for me to be consumed.
✨✨ September 24 ✨✨
The Bone Houses
by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Young Adult, Historical Fantasy
Seventeen-year-old Aderyn (“Ryn”) only cares about two things: her family, and her family’s graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don’t always stay dead.
The risen corpses are known as “bone houses,” and legend says that they’re the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it about Ellis that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good?
Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and the long-hidden truths about themselves.
This cover! Holy hell! I was sucked in by it and then I read the synopsis and onto the TBR it went.
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Rules for Vanishing
by Kate Alice Marshall
Young Adult, Ghost Stories
In the faux-documentary style of The Blair Witch Project comes the campfire story of a missing girl, a vengeful ghost, and the girl who is determined to find her sister–at all costs.
Once a year, the path appears in the forest and Lucy Gallows beckons. Who is brave enough to find her–and who won’t make it out of the woods?
It’s been exactly one year since Sara’s sister, Becca, disappeared, and high school life has far from settled back to normal. With her sister gone, Sara doesn’t know whether her former friends no longer like her…or are scared of her, and the days of eating alone at lunch have started to blend together. When a mysterious text message invites Sara and her estranged friends to “play the game” and find local ghost legend Lucy Gallows, Sara is sure this is the only way to find Becca–before she’s lost forever. And even though she’s hardly spoken with them for a year, Sara finds herself deep in the darkness of the forest, her friends–and their cameras–following her down the path. Together, they will have to draw on all of their strengths to survive. The road is rarely forgiving, and no one will be the same on the other side.
Pre-Order Incentive (International) ARC Review to Come
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to read an excerpt of this book and won a review copy from Bookish First! This book wasn’t on my radar at all, but I was sucked into the narrative style and I think this will be a perfect fall read to get ready for Spooky Season.
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Are any of these books on your TBR? Have you read any of them yet? What are the September releases that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
Ah, so many books to read, so little time. I really have to read Gideon the Ninth before my arc expires! I’ve heard amazing things from Melanie (i feel like everyone added it to their tbrs because of her), and I’m gonna be so mad if I don’t finish it before its release date! I also downloaded the e-arc of There Will Come a Darkness from Edelweiss, but I probably won’t get to it before it expires! Also, there are some sequels to series here that I really have to start, particularly the Celestial trilogy and the Nevernight Chronicles because I’ve heard AMAZING THINGS.
Your anticipated releases lists are always so thorough–for better or worse haha. I hope you beat that reading slump!
We really need to discover some technology to enable us to read more books, because there is no way I will be able to read everything I want to in this life and that makes me v sad. And yea, Gideon landed on my TBR when she mentioned it months ago!!!
I just finished re-reading A SPARK OF WHITE FIRE and started A HOUSE OF RAGE AND SORROWS last night… my soul is dying and I love it so much. I can’t recommend that series enough!
Ooooooooh I still need to read Nevernight too! But I’m reading it in Dutch so we are behind. I’m waiting for The Testaments too and for the Dutch version of Nocturna. I still need to get A Spark Of White Fire!
I will be picking up Nevernight (then Godsgrave, then Darkdawn haha) as soon as I finish reading A HOUSE OF RAGE AND SORROW! I hope you enjoy a Spark of White Fire, that book is a hidden treasure and needs to be shared with the world
I could’ve sworn I had There Will Be a Darkness as an arc, but apparently I don’t? I’m very ready for Gideon the Ninth. Every time I read the synopsis, my want to read it grows 😄 Buffy meets The Babysitter’s Club?? It’s something inspired by The Babysitter’s Club, I’m there with bells on 😄
A HOUSE OF SAGE AND SORROW. I need to get onto that super soon because I love it so much.
How to be Remy Cameron comes out soon, so that’s definitely on my radar.
You must be requesting arcs in your dreams, DB! Bummer you don’t have an earc, but at least it comes out next week? And yea, Gideon re-hypes me constantly! I started A House of Rage and Sorrow last night and there’s a Titania pov, so basically the book is perfect.
Honestly that would be a thing I would do 😄 Hopefully I’ll be able to request it through my library. A Titania pov? We are BLESSED!
Oh I really cannot wait for darkdawn! Also excited for gideon the ninth! And there are so many other good ones!
(www.evelynreads.com)
September is bringing us bountiful book-shaped blessings!
I have copies of half these books, and I know September is going to kill me! I’m reading Gideon right now, and Darkdawn is coming up very soon on the pile😁
Yea I have copies of most of my list as well, and am slowly clawing my way out of my reading slump. Are you enjoying Gideon? I am trying to decide if I will read that one next or read the NN Chronicles first.
So many great titles! I’m also looking forward to Capturing the Devil and The Babysitter’s Coven!
Yaaas! I still need to read Escape from Houdini, but at this point I *might* wait until my copy of Capturing the Devil is in my hands!
I will be doing that. I going to hold off on rereading the series until I have the complete series in my hands.
Sooo many of these are on my TBR! I’m especially excited for Darkdawn & There will come a darkness.
Me too! I was planning on getting There Will Come a Darkness read early but my slump has destroyed me… I think my review will come mid-September, which is fine since I am going to a signing at the end of the month!
I loved The Girl the Sea Gave Back. My review will be posted today.
Ahhh, I am so glad you loved it Paul! I will have to check your review asap!
Cool beans!
There are some books here that have definitely caught my attention, too.
And yes, Buffy meets BSC is a mashup I also didn’t know I needed before this moment!
It’s the 90s mashup of our dreams, Kate!
I can’t wait for The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young. I fell in love with Sky in the Deep so I hope I love this just as much!
I’m starting the Stalking Jack the Ripper series next month, which I’ve heard all good things about making me real excited!
Based on what I’ve heard, if you loved Sky in the Deep you will be happy with this one! I hope you love it too!
Ahhh, Stalking Jack the Ripper has been such a fun reading experience for me, enjoy!
I can’t wait to read it both Young’s book and the series!
UM I DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT RULES FOR VANISHING BUT NOW I NEED IT.
I HAVE FAILED YOU AS A FRIEND FOR NOT SHOVING IT AT YOU! because I knew this would be up your alley, too.
It’s okay, I forgive you <3
How are we supposed to survive so many amazing releases all in one month, I ask you???
I just finished Gideon the Ninth the other day and BOY that blurb is right about it being the most fun you’ll have with a skeleton 😀 I hope you love all of these books!
WE AREN’T MEANT TO, I am convinced this is some new population control experiment!
Ahhh you are the second person to tell me that about GIDEON and now I am beyond excited!
TBH, whenever I see the testament I remember you immediately!
I have a Brand!
The title made me chuckle, “Prepare Thine Wallets” :’) Meeee every time I walk into a used bookstore or a Barnes & Noble. None of these are on my TBR as of yet, but I’m interested in a few of them!
brineandbooks.com
Funny story: in my head, the “prepare thine wallets” is spoken to the tune of “bring out your dead.”
That’s too good omg :’)
I’m super intrigued by Rules for Vanishing! And I need to hurry up and read the Celestial books. I’m super behind on that hype.
Rules for Vanishing is pretty solid based on the early excerpt that I read on Bookish First last month, I am looking forward to reading the full arc… soon.
And yes, you do! Celestial Trilogy is magnificent and deserves more people to read & love it.
WHY IS EVERYTHING COMING OUT SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER?! I’m SUPER excited for my Darkdawn preorder and I’ve read The Girl The Sea Gave Back and omg I just want to read House of Rage and Sorrow now but I have to get through so many tour books first lol. ALSO KINGDOM OF SOULS I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT!!!!!!
I don’t know, but I am p sure my tombstone will be erected on September 3rd. tbh ignore your blog tours and just read house of rage and sorrow with me.
Ahh, there are just so many great releases coming this end of the year, I just can’t wait for them all. I’m more of a contemporary reader, so I’m thankful to you for making me discover some books I didn’t have on my radar until now! There Will Come A Darkness sounds really good and I LOVE that cover so much. I’m also very curious about The Bone Houses (and look at that cover wow!)
So many amazing books, not enough time to read them all! And I love that I am able to entice you with books outside of your genre, The Bone Houses wasn’t on my radar until like last week but that cover!
Really curious about bone houses! great list!
Thank you so much, and happy reading!
Lucky you, you got Rule for Vanishing! I git denied 😔 However, I’m grateful yo have been approved for There Will Come A Darkness and The Bone Houses, I’m anticipating reading them when the opportunity arises!
awww I am sorry you were declined for Rules of Vanishing! I was surprised I won an arc from Bookish First! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on The Bone Houses, I don’t have an arc for that one!
Oh, you won it? I still haven’t started on The Bone Houses…:P Is that even a surprise, hehe. But I plan to be a bit more disciplined with my ARCs now. Fingers-crossed!
Yea, I was lucky enough to win an ARC of it! Oh shit I never wrote my review for the Bone Houses lol
I’m really excited about Rules for Vanishing! It was my pick for CWW a few weeks ago! The Girl the Sea Gave Back is also pretty high on my list. I hope all of these are wonderful reads for you!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
I am probably picking up Rules for Vanishing next because I need a spooky read and am SO EXCITED! My pre-order for The Girl the Sea Gave Back is also beautiful and I love it. the naked book is stunning Happy reading!
WOAH WOAH WOAH OKAY i didn’t even know that THE HANDMAID’S TALE was going to have a sequel!! i remember reading it my junior year in HS and thinking that it was just so good (BUT ALSO THAT CLIFFHANGER) i really can’t wait to pick it up again to see what’s going to happen next. i’ve also been really wanting to start the STALKING JACK THE RIPPER series but i’m a little scared it’ll be gorey? or too horror?
these are some amazing recs, kal!!
I find it so WEIRD that Penguin hasn’t been advertising the heck out of the sequel to Handmaid’s Tale??? Like the only thing I have seen about it was on Hulu and then the twitter uprising I participated in when Amazon broke PRH’s embargo on the book.
Stalking Jack the Ripper is kind of gruesome, so if you squick easily to blood and vivid discussions of autopsies and crime scenes, it may not be the series for you. Which is a shame because I think you would LOVE Thomas Cresswell.
The Testaments yes, I NEED THAT ONE! I’ve read The Handmaid’s Tale earlier this year for English class and LOVED it (especially because it gave me a great grade haha) so I really need to check that one out. This list was great! 😀
I am SO EXCITED for The Testaments, I can’t wait! I actually haven’t even watched beyond season 1 of Hulu’s adaptation because I wanted to wait for this book. Not sure how close the stories converge or not, though. Happy reading, Marta!
I’m always behind on everything so obviously I’m behind on the show AND didn’t have a clue there was a sequel coming out … Need to sort out my priorities haha
Your priorities are just fine, Marta!
I seriously will never know why hot releases don’t get spaced out more (like, could we maybe get a FEW decent releases in December every year so ya girl could just throw ’em on her Christmas list?!), but this is such a good list 😍 And I can’t wait for your week of Stabby-ness!
Like I get it that Fall is the big time for publishing and they want to get books under the holiday tree… but December is a barren wasteland when it comes to publishing lol. I read NN and GG and am afraid to read DD
I feel like September and October this year have AMAZING books coming out, and it’s so overwhelming because all of them look so good and I can’t choose which to read first 😭 I’m so excited for Gideon the Ninth — I’ve preordered it, which I rarely do, and I can’t wait for it to show up soon! (And yes, 100% in agreement with you about the black sprayed edges.) And aahh I hadn’t heard about There Will Come a Darkness before June, but I’m more excited about it than other books I’ve known about for longer 😅 It just looks like my exact type of fantasy and the cover is so gorgeous!!!
I’m glad to not be the only person overwhelmed by all the amazing releases! I also pre-ordered Gideon… mainly because I wanted to be sure I could get the black sprayed edges on the first printing. Fall releases are such a blessing, but I am kind of on a SFF burnout right now so I might just have to switch things up.
I thought I was the only one who was convinced that the imprints are conspiring against us all and releasing SO MANY good books on September 3rd!! Another one that I’m dying for, is The Toll (Scythe #3)!! I actually received an eARC of the Girl the Sea Gave Back, but in classic Kelly fashion, I still haven’t read it. Oops. Lol! Thanks for sharing all of these books, Kal!
Ahhh, I didn’t realize The Toll was coming out in September as well! I still haven’t read Scythe (oops) but I am really looking forward to reading it — it may be my patreon-selected read for October.
I also haven’t read my eARC for The Girl the Sea Gave Back and my finished copy arrived yesterday OOPS! Wanna try to buddy read it if timing aligns?
I actually got the release date wrong for the Toll! It releases in November, so you still have plenty of time to read the first two books in the Scythedom series! 😉 I would LOVE to buddy read it with you, if the timing aligns! Just let me know whenever you plan to start it! <3
Oh thank goodness, plenty of time for me to not read the first two books in advance of the release, lmao! I would love to buddy read with you if I can manage it… let’s slay my slump!
September book releases are crazy this year! Hard to keep up. Luckily, i have several of these on my list already so I don’t have quite as much to add lol!
I know, so many amazing releases! We are truly blessed this fall with all the great books coming out!